03/10/1995 01:06 PM House JUD

 TAPE 95-28, SIDE B                                                            
                                                                               
 HJUD - 03/10/95                                                               
 HB 90 - CONVENING LEGISLATURE AFTER GOV. ELECTION                           
                                                                               
 Number 000                                                                    
                                                                               
 DOROTHY GARRETT, Aide to Representative Davis, introduced the bill.           
 Sponsor Statement:                                                            
                                                                               
 "It is now nine years since the President and Congress of the                 
 United States declared Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday a               
 National Holiday.                                                             
                                                                               
 "Ironically, in Alaska, this holiday falls on the opening day of              
 the Session in the year following a gubernatorial election.  This             
 not only means that the Alaskan Legislators are not able to pay               
 proper homage to this great leader, but the hundreds of state                 
 workers who act as back-up staff are impacted as well.                        
                                                                               
 "I propose that this particular Session day be changed to the                 
 following Tuesday.  This would bring Alaska into line with the                
 other 48 states that observe this Holiday.                                    
                                                                               
 "I would like to quote the Executive Proclamation issued by                   
 Governor Walter J. Hickel,:                                                   
                                                                               
 "Dr. King is remembered for his tireless dedication to                       
 achieving, through peaceful means, freedom and equal rights                   
 for all people, and for making the promise of democracy truly                 
 an inalienable right for all members of society."                             
                                                                               
 "Surely as elected legislators it is our responsibility to set an             
 example to the millions of people who have benefited from the                 
 dreams and promises of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."                           
                                                                               
 MS. GARRETT noted that this bill would actually save the state                
 money.                                                                        
                                                                               
 There was a discussion on whether or not Martin Luther King, Jr.'s            
 birthday was a paid holiday, or one of those holidays that                    
 employees receive flex time for.                                              
                                                                               
 MS. GARRETT clarified that it is a state holiday.                             
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN PORTER noted that the problem is, this holiday is not                
 recognized by the legislature.                                                
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE VEZEY offered Amendment Number 1, which would have             
 the legislature start meeting on the second Monday of January,                
 every year.                                                                   
                                                                               
 There was an objection, and a roll call vote was taken.                       
 Representative Vezey voted yes.  Representatives Finkelstein,                 
 Bunde, Toohey, Green and Porter voted no.  Amendment Number 1                 
 failed, five to one.                                                          
                                                                               
 Number 240                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE TOOHEY made a motion to move HB 90 out of committee.           
 Seeing no objection, it was so ordered.